democratic leader harry reid said republicans must allow confirmation of seven presidential nominees they've blocked so far. if not, reid says majority democrats will change senate rules, instituting an up-or- down, simple majority vote for such appointments. iowa senator tom harkin made the democrats' case. >> if we're doing our constitutional duty, we would confirm all of these nominees tomorrow and move on to our legislative work so why aren't we doing that? well, because my friends on the republican side are hijacking these nominations, and this nomination process, to try to make changes to laws they know they could not change through regular order. >> holman: the move would not affect current rules that require a super-majority of 60 votes to break filibusters against other senate action. but republicans, including jeff flake of arizona, argued even the limited change would do long-term damage to the senate. >> the rule change that is being considered this week is more far reaching an more significant than has been advertised. this rule change was described this afternoon by the